Sambal Aioli

This deliciously addicting sambal aioli is creamy, spicy, garlicy and a little tangy and sweet. It goes well with seafood or meats, veggies or anything you like!

Our new obsession is this spicy-creamy sambal aioli that's made with mayonnaise (homemade or store-bought favorite) sambal oelek, minced garlic, lemon juice, and a little sweetener (optional).

If you’ve ever had sriracha mayo (a popular condiment at Subway, P.F. Chang’s and Wendy’s), then you'll find this sambal aioli similar in taste. Sambal is a spicy chili garlic sauce like Sriracha, but it typically has no added sugar. It's usually made with hot red chile peppers, garlic, salt and vinegar. 

Although this sambal aioli comes with a little heat, it’s not too spicy. However, if you’re looking for more heat, simply add more sambal. For less, add a little less (we recommend starting with a tablespoon and adding more to taste).

We love pairing this dipping sauce with our crispy chicken tenders, zucchini fries, and steamed crab. But, this condiment can go with so much more including fish tacos, burgers, hot dogs, fritters, salmon patties, etc.

This low-carb and keto-friendly sambal aioli is quick to make and is less than 1 net carb serving.

What is Aioli?

Aioli is a garlic sauce prevalent in the Mediterranean, and in some areas it's made with just olive and mashed garlic (and no egg yolks).

Here in the United States, aioli is basically flavored mayonnaise. Although garlic aioli may be the most common aioli, you can now find many variations, such as chipotle, pesto, red pepper and more.

Ingredients

Mayonnaise: You can make your own mayonnaise or use a store-bought favorite. For best taste, we prefer using Sir Kensington's Mayonnaise or Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise.

Sambal Oelek: We use 1 ½ tablespoons for a medium level of spice. For less heat, Start with 1 tablespoon and add more to taste.

Garlic: Even though sambal has garlic in it, we find it necessary to add minced garlic to enhance the flavor.

Lemon juice: Lemon juice is key ingredient since it adds acidity. You can replace the lemon juice with lime if you prefer. We prefer lemons since we typically have them on hand.

Sweetener (optional): Just a little sweetener balances the heat and acidity. We use sugar-free erythritol, but you can use whatever sweetener you like. Just start with a small amount to taste.

How to Make

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients. Stir until well combined.

Step 2: Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

Variations

Looking to change up your aioli? There are so many options!

Here are some variations to try — simply add in one of these ingredients to taste: pesto, diced chipotle peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, chimichurri, truffle, dill, or rosemary.

Storing Aioli

Aioli should be stored in a covered container in the fridge for no more than 3 days.

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If you try this recipe, we would love to hear your feedback! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag @lowcarbsimplified on your photo of this recipe on Instagram or Facebook. We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!